<p>A school teacher from Texas state in US has been arrested for allegedly locking her Covid positive son in a car trunk to protect herself from contracting the disease while driving to a testing centre.</p>

<p>Sarah Beam, 41, has been reportedly charged with endangering her 13-year-old child, according to local media reports.</p>

<p>The incident is said to have taken place earlier this week on Monday when Beem was taking her son to a drive-thru Covid testing centre.</p>

<p>According to reports, an official at the testing centre heard voices coming from the trunk. When inquired, the teacher reportedly opened the boot, revealing the boy lying inside.</p>

<p>According to click2houston.com, Beam told authorities that she locked her 13-year-old son inside to protect herself from the exposure. She was taking her son for another test to confirm the result.</p>

<p>A health worker at the site reportedly told Beam that no test would be done until the boy was allowed to sit in the back seat of the car, according to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV.</p>

<p>Beam has been working as a teacher at Cypress Falls High School since 2011, but is now on administrative leave, according to local media.</p>

<p>In a statement, Cy-Fair ISD Police Department said, “CFPD was alerted that a child was in the trunk of a car at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site earlier this week.</p>

<p>"Law enforcement conducted a full investigation, resulting in a warrant for arrest. Thankfully, the child was not harmed."</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


A school teacher from Texas state in US has been arrested for allegedly locking her Covid positive son in a car trunk to protect herself from contracting the disease while driving to a testing centre.

A school teacher from Texas state in US has been arrested for allegedly locking her Covid positive son in a car trunk to protect herself from contracting the disease while driving to a testing centre. Sarah Beam, 41, has been reportedly charged with endangering her 13-year-old child, according to local media reports. The incident is said to have taken place earlier this week on Monday when Beem was taking her son to a drive-thru Covid testing centre. According to reports, an official at the testing centre heard voices coming from the trunk. When inquired, the teacher reportedly opened the boot, revealing the boy lying inside. According to click2houston.com, Beam told authorities that she locked her 13-year-old son inside to protect herself from the exposure. She was taking her son for another test to confirm the result. A health worker at the site reportedly told Beam that no test would be done until the boy was allowed to sit in the back seat of the car, according to ABC affiliate KTRK-TV. Beam has been working as a teacher at Cypress Falls High School since 2011, but is now on administrative leave, according to local media. In a statement, Cy-Fair ISD Police Department said, “CFPD was alerted that a child was in the trunk of a car at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site earlier this week. "Law enforcement conducted a full investigation, resulting in a warrant for arrest. Thankfully, the child was not harmed." (With inputs from agencies)

US mom locks Covid positive son in car trunk to avoid contracting virus, arrested

A winter storm packing heavy snow and strong winds engulfed parts of the U.S. Southeast and mid-Atlantic states, forcing federal offices and schools to close as it threatened to make travel dangerous and knock out power.

Winter storm engulfs US states

<p>New York State Attorney General’s Office on Friday has released videos of an incident where a man had burst into flames on being tased by a police officer just after he used hand sanitizer. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the bizarre incident, the man had died in a hospital around six weeks later, as per New York Attorney General Letitia James. &nbsp;</p>

<p>On October 30, 29-year-old Jason Jones allegedly stormed into a police station. He seems to have kicked off an argument with officers in the lobby, said authorities. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/supreme-court-hears-major-challenges-to-bidens-vaccine-mandates-443009" hreflang="en">Supreme court hears major challenges to Biden’s vaccine mandates</a></strong></p>

<p>The New York State Attorney General’s Office has made public some previously unreleased videos of the incident. It shows the Catskill man, who appears to pace around the lobby aggressively and confronting officers, to pour the hand sanitizer on his upper body just moments before being tased. &nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NY police taser a guy who then catches on fire. The police RUN from the room will he’s on fire, leaving him there to put himself out. WTF! Video #2<br />
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<p>Although there is no audio, the videos show that Jones was trying to open a secured door. He was trying to throw his things and getting undressed. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The whole incident was captured on station’s surveillance cameras. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-major-setback-to-analysts-us-added-only-199000-jobs-in-december-442984" hreflang="en">In a major setback to analysts, US added only 199,000 jobs in December</a></strong></p>

<p>A division of the state AG’s office, the Office of Special Investigations is looking into the incident. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Generally, cops are warned to not use stun gun on suspects, who are either wet or standing in water. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The victim had been lodged in the burn unit at State University of New York Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse. The autopsy will reveal the official cause of death and how much role did the taser played in it. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


New York State Attorney General’s Office on Friday has released videos of an incident where a man had burst into flames on being tased by a police officer just after he used hand sanitizer.

New York State Attorney General’s Office on Friday has released videos of an incident where a man had burst into flames on being tased by a police officer just after he used hand sanitizer. In the bizarre incident, the man had died in a hospital around six weeks later, as per New York Attorney General Letitia James. On October 30, 29-year-old Jason Jones allegedly stormed into a police station. He seems to have kicked off an argument with officers in the lobby, said authorities. Also Read: Supreme court hears major challenges to Biden’s vaccine mandates The New York State Attorney General’s Office has made public some previously unreleased videos of the incident. It shows the Catskill man, who appears to pace around the lobby aggressively and confronting officers, to pour the hand sanitizer on his upper body just moments before being tased. NY police taser a guy who then catches on fire. The police RUN from the room will he’s on fire, leaving him there to put himself out. WTF! Video #2 Investigation into the Death of Jason Jones | New York State Attorney General https://t.co/GYBO2prAlD — Ella Illioff (@milioffuk) January 8, 2022 × Although there is no audio, the videos show that Jones was trying to open a secured door. He was trying to throw his things and getting undressed. The whole incident was captured on station’s surveillance cameras. Also Read: In a major setback to analysts, US added only 199,000 jobs in December A division of the state AG’s office, the Office of Special Investigations is looking into the incident. Generally, cops are warned to not use stun gun on suspects, who are either wet or standing in water. The victim had been lodged in the burn unit at State University of New York Upstate Medical University Hospital in Syracuse. The autopsy will reveal the official cause of death and how much role did the taser played in it. (With inputs from agencies)

US officials release footage where man bursts into flames on being tased by police after using sanitizer

'No one does it like New York': Here are few stunning images from season's first snow storm

U.S. President Biden's remarks on the one-year anniversary of the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, and the COVID Omicron variant forcing U.S. universities back to remote learning

U.S. President Biden's remarks on the first anniversary of Capitol Riots

In a bit to deepen defense cooperation the United States and Japan have agreed to collaborate on several new ventures this includes developing hypersonic and space based weaponry and a new deal on sharing the cost of US troops in Japan.

US, Japan strengthen defence ties, deal to counter hypersonic threats

Three white men have now been convicted of murdering a black man Ahmaud Arbery in the United States. The three men have been sentenced to life in prison.

US: Three white men sentenced to life in prison for murdering a black man Ahmaud Arbery

<p>A new Axios-Momentive poll has revealed that over 40 per cent of Americans do not believe that Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election. Also, nearly 57 per cent of people think that events similar to the January 6 Capitol riots are likely to happen again in the coming years.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This concern is alarmingly high among Democrats as 70 per cent of them&nbsp;think that something like January 6 will happen again. While only 47 per cent of Republicans think the same.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-year-of-us-capitol-riots-key-takeaways-and-prominent-faces-of-the-day-that-divided-america-442672"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;One year of US Capitol Riots: Key takeaways and prominent faces of the day that divided America</strong></a></p>

<p>About 37 per cent of people who were surveyed said that they had lost faith in American democracy. Out of this, 48 per cent were Republicans and 28 per cent were Democrats. On the other hand, 10 per cent said they had never had faith in the system. 49 per cent said that they did have faith.</p>

<p>Laura Wronski, senior manager for research science at Momentive, while speaking to Axios said, "It’s dispiriting to see that this shocking thing we all witnessed last year hasn’t changed people’s perceptions."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Capitol riots: One year on, America more polarised than ever</strong></p>

<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-capitol-riots-one-year-on-america-more-polarised-than-ever-442764/embed" width="560"></iframe></p>

<p>The poll was released on the eve of the first anniversary of the US Capitol attack. This is when the US lawmakers were moving towards certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the election and pro-Trump protesters stormed the US Capitol to disrupt the legitimate transfer. The horrifying scene forced Congress to put&nbsp;a sudden pause on the ceremonial event confirming Biden's sweeping win in the elections. In the aftermath, the doors of the Senate were locked and a citywide curfew was announced.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The polls were conducted from January 1 to 5 this year. Also, they surveyed nearly 2,700 adults.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A new Axios-Momentive poll has revealed that over 40 per cent of Americans do not believe that Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election. Also, nearly 57 per cent of people think that events similar to the January 6 Capitol riots are likely to happen again in the coming years.

A new Axios-Momentive poll has revealed that over 40 per cent of Americans do not believe that Joe Biden legitimately won the 2020 presidential election. Also, nearly 57 per cent of people think that events similar to the January 6 Capitol riots are likely to happen again in the coming years. This concern is alarmingly high among Democrats as 70 per cent of them think that something like January 6 will happen again. While only 47 per cent of Republicans think the same. Also read | One year of US Capitol Riots: Key takeaways and prominent faces of the day that divided America About 37 per cent of people who were surveyed said that they had lost faith in American democracy. Out of this, 48 per cent were Republicans and 28 per cent were Democrats. On the other hand, 10 per cent said they had never had faith in the system. 49 per cent said that they did have faith. Laura Wronski, senior manager for research science at Momentive, while speaking to Axios said, "It’s dispiriting to see that this shocking thing we all witnessed last year hasn’t changed people’s perceptions." Watch | Gravitas: Capitol riots: One year on, America more polarised than ever The poll was released on the eve of the first anniversary of the US Capitol attack. This is when the US lawmakers were moving towards certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the election and pro-Trump protesters stormed the US Capitol to disrupt the legitimate transfer. The horrifying scene forced Congress to put a sudden pause on the ceremonial event confirming Biden's sweeping win in the elections. In the aftermath, the doors of the Senate were locked and a citywide curfew was announced. The polls were conducted from January 1 to 5 this year. Also, they surveyed nearly 2,700 adults. (With inputs from agencies)

A year after Capitol riots, 57% Americans think similar events are likely to happen

Hundreds of Trump supporters breached the US Capitol on January 6th, 2021 after false claims of election fraud. One year after the riots, what has changed in America? Is American democracy in a better place?

One year since the Capitol hill riots: In conversation with Nicholas Grossman

<p>The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Friday on the legality of two initiatives at the heart of the Biden administration’s efforts to address the coronavirus in the workplace through vaccine mandates.</p>

<p>The challengers — states led by Republican officials, businesses, religious groups and others — say Congress has not authorized the measures, adding that they are unnecessary and in some ways counterproductive.</p>

<p>The administration says that workplace safety and health care laws have given it ample authority to take bold action in the face of a lethal pandemic.</p>

<p>The more sweeping of the two measures, directed at businesses with 100 or more employees, would impose a vaccine-or-testing mandate on more than 84 million workers. The administration estimated that the rule would cause 22 million people to get vaccinated and prevent 250,000 hospitalisations.</p>

<p>The other measure requires workers at hospitals and other health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The requirement would affect more than 17 million workers, the administration said, and would “save hundreds or even thousands of lives each month.”</p>

<p>The Supreme Court remains closed to the public, but the justices are taking the bench to hear the arguments in person and the court will provide a live audio feed on its website.</p>

<p>All of the justices are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, a court spokesperson said.</p>

<p>The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld state vaccine mandates in a variety of settings against constitutional challenges. The cases before the court are different, as they primarily present the question of whether Congress has authorized the executive branch to institute the requirements.</p>

<p>The answer will mostly turn on the language of the relevant statutes and on whether the administration followed proper procedures in issuing the requirements.</p>

<p>The vaccination-or-testing requirement for large employers was issued in November by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.</p>

<p>Employers are allowed to give their workers the option to be tested weekly instead of getting the vaccine, although they are not required to pay for the testing. The rule makes an exception for employees with religious objections and those who do not come into close contact with other people at their jobs, like those who work at home or exclusively outdoors.</p>

<p>Under a 1970 law, OSHA has the authority to issue emergency rules for workplace safety, provided it can show that workers are exposed to a grave danger and that the rule is necessary.</p>

<p>States, businesses and others challenged the measure in appeals courts around the nation, and a unanimous three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in New Orleans, ruled in favor of some of the challengers, blocking the measure.</p>

<p>After the challenges were consolidated before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in Cincinnati, a divided three-judge panel reinstated the measure.</p>

<p>“The record establishes that COVID-19 has continued to spread, mutate, kill and block the safe return of American workers to their jobs,” Judge Jane B. Stranch wrote for the majority. “To protect workers, OSHA can and must be able to respond to dangers as they evolve.”</p>

<p>In dissent, Judge Joan L. Larsen wrote that the administration “likely lacks congressional authority” to impose the vaccine-or-testing requirement.</p>

<p>“The mandate is aimed directly at protecting the unvaccinated from their own choices,” she wrote. “Vaccines are freely available, and unvaccinated people may choose to protect themselves at any time.”</p>

<p>In the Supreme Court case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, the challengers argued that the regulation did not address a workplace issue and so exceeded the agency’s lawful authority.</p>

<p>“COVID-19 is not an occupational danger that OSHA may regulate,” lawyers for Ohio and 26 other states told the justices in a recent brief.</p>

<p>They added that agencies seeking to issue regulations on “major questions” with broad economic or political implications must have clear congressional authorization.</p>

<p>The second case, Biden v. Missouri, concerns a regulation issued in November requiring health care workers at facilities that receive federal money under the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated against the coronavirus unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption.</p>

<p>States led by Republican officials challenged the regulation, obtaining injunctions against it covering about half of the nation. Two federal appeals courts, in New Orleans and St. Louis, refused to stay those injunctions while appeals moved forward.</p>

<p>A third federal appeals court, in Atlanta, sided with the Biden administration.</p>

<p>“Health care workers have long been required to obtain inoculations for infectious diseases, such as measles, rubella, mumps and others,” Judges Robin S. Rosenbaum and Jill A. Pryor wrote for a divided three-judge panel, “because required vaccination is a common-sense measure designed to prevent health care workers, whose job it is to improve patients’ health, from making them sicker.”</p>

<p>The Biden administration argued that a federal statute gave it broad authority to impose regulations concerning the health and safety of patients at facilities that receive federal money. The statute gives the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services the general power to issue regulations to ensure the “efficient administration” of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and parts of the statute concerning various kinds of facilities generally also authorize the secretary to impose requirements to protect the health and safety of patients.</p>

<p>“It is difficult to imagine a more paradigmatic health and safety condition than a requirement that workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities take the step that most effectively prevents transmission of a deadly virus to vulnerable patients,” Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar wrote in a Supreme Court brief.</p>

<p>In response, lawyers for Missouri and other states wrote that the “sweeping and unprecedented vaccine mandate for health care workers threatens to create a crisis in health care facilities in rural America.”</p>

<p>“The mandate would force millions of workers to choose between losing their jobs or complying with an unlawful federal mandate,” they wrote. Had a judge not issued an injunction, they added, “last year’s health care heroes would have become this year’s unemployed.”</p>


The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Friday on the legality of two initiatives at the heart of the Biden administration’s efforts to address the coronavirus in the workplace through vaccine mandates.

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments Friday on the legality of two initiatives at the heart of the Biden administration’s efforts to address the coronavirus in the workplace through vaccine mandates. The challengers — states led by Republican officials, businesses, religious groups and others — say Congress has not authorized the measures, adding that they are unnecessary and in some ways counterproductive. The administration says that workplace safety and health care laws have given it ample authority to take bold action in the face of a lethal pandemic. The more sweeping of the two measures, directed at businesses with 100 or more employees, would impose a vaccine-or-testing mandate on more than 84 million workers. The administration estimated that the rule would cause 22 million people to get vaccinated and prevent 250,000 hospitalisations. The other measure requires workers at hospitals and other health care facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. The requirement would affect more than 17 million workers, the administration said, and would “save hundreds or even thousands of lives each month.” The Supreme Court remains closed to the public, but the justices are taking the bench to hear the arguments in person and the court will provide a live audio feed on its website. All of the justices are fully vaccinated and have received a booster shot, a court spokesperson said. The Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld state vaccine mandates in a variety of settings against constitutional challenges. The cases before the court are different, as they primarily present the question of whether Congress has authorized the executive branch to institute the requirements. The answer will mostly turn on the language of the relevant statutes and on whether the administration followed proper procedures in issuing the requirements. The vaccination-or-testing requirement for large employers was issued in November by the Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Employers are allowed to give their workers the option to be tested weekly instead of getting the vaccine, although they are not required to pay for the testing. The rule makes an exception for employees with religious objections and those who do not come into close contact with other people at their jobs, like those who work at home or exclusively outdoors. Under a 1970 law, OSHA has the authority to issue emergency rules for workplace safety, provided it can show that workers are exposed to a grave danger and that the rule is necessary. States, businesses and others challenged the measure in appeals courts around the nation, and a unanimous three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in New Orleans, ruled in favor of some of the challengers, blocking the measure. After the challenges were consolidated before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in Cincinnati, a divided three-judge panel reinstated the measure. “The record establishes that COVID-19 has continued to spread, mutate, kill and block the safe return of American workers to their jobs,” Judge Jane B. Stranch wrote for the majority. “To protect workers, OSHA can and must be able to respond to dangers as they evolve.” In dissent, Judge Joan L. Larsen wrote that the administration “likely lacks congressional authority” to impose the vaccine-or-testing requirement. “The mandate is aimed directly at protecting the unvaccinated from their own choices,” she wrote. “Vaccines are freely available, and unvaccinated people may choose to protect themselves at any time.” In the Supreme Court case, National Federation of Independent Business v. Department of Labor, the challengers argued that the regulation did not address a workplace issue and so exceeded the agency’s lawful authority. “COVID-19 is not an occupational danger that OSHA may regulate,” lawyers for Ohio and 26 other states told the justices in a recent brief. They added that agencies seeking to issue regulations on “major questions” with broad economic or political implications must have clear congressional authorization. The second case, Biden v. Missouri, concerns a regulation issued in November requiring health care workers at facilities that receive federal money under the Medicare and Medicaid programs to be vaccinated against the coronavirus unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption. States led by Republican officials challenged the regulation, obtaining injunctions against it covering about half of the nation. Two federal appeals courts, in New Orleans and St. Louis, refused to stay those injunctions while appeals moved forward. A third federal appeals court, in Atlanta, sided with the Biden administration. “Health care workers have long been required to obtain inoculations for infectious diseases, such as measles, rubella, mumps and others,” Judges Robin S. Rosenbaum and Jill A. Pryor wrote for a divided three-judge panel, “because required vaccination is a common-sense measure designed to prevent health care workers, whose job it is to improve patients’ health, from making them sicker.” The Biden administration argued that a federal statute gave it broad authority to impose regulations concerning the health and safety of patients at facilities that receive federal money. The statute gives the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services the general power to issue regulations to ensure the “efficient administration” of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, and parts of the statute concerning various kinds of facilities generally also authorize the secretary to impose requirements to protect the health and safety of patients. “It is difficult to imagine a more paradigmatic health and safety condition than a requirement that workers at hospitals, nursing homes and other medical facilities take the step that most effectively prevents transmission of a deadly virus to vulnerable patients,” Solicitor General Elizabeth B. Prelogar wrote in a Supreme Court brief. In response, lawyers for Missouri and other states wrote that the “sweeping and unprecedented vaccine mandate for health care workers threatens to create a crisis in health care facilities in rural America.” “The mandate would force millions of workers to choose between losing their jobs or complying with an unlawful federal mandate,” they wrote. Had a judge not issued an injunction, they added, “last year’s health care heroes would have become this year’s unemployed.”

Supreme court hears major challenges to Biden’s vaccine mandates

In Pics | Several vigils in US on the anniversary of the deadly Capitol riots

<p>To strengthen defence ties, the United States and Japan look to sign two pacts soon.</p>

<p>The two nations, who are looking to deepen defence cooperation,&nbsp;will ink a new five-year agreement soon to share the cost of the American military presence in the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-national-in-us-steals-agricultural-tech-pleads-guilty-to-economic-espionage-442777">Chinese national in US steals agricultural tech, pleads guilty</a></strong></p>

<p>The leader was speaking at the outset of a virtual conference, which was held between the US and Japanese foreign and defence ministers on Thursday. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The two nations will also sign a deal to collaborate closely in research and development of defence-related technologies, which may include ways to counter threats from hypersonic weapons, said Blinken. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who joined virtually from home as he is recovering from a COVID-19 infection, said the US-Japan alliance is highly important. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-non-woke-social-media-app-rivalling-the-biased-big-tech-to-launch-soon-442778" hreflang="en">Trump's 'non-woke' social media app rivalling the 'biased' big-tech to launch soon</a></strong></p>

<p>"We're meeting against a backdrop of increased tensions and challenges to the free, stable and secure Indo-Pacific region that we both seek challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear ambitions and by the coercive and aggressive behaviour of the People's Republic of China," Austin said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"We remain grateful for the support that Japan continues to provide US forces deployed there and for an extraordinary level of mutual cooperation across the full spectrum of military capabilities," he added. &nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;</em></p>


To strengthen defence ties, the United States and Japan look to sign two pacts soon. The two nations, who are looking to deepen defence cooperation, will ink a new five-year agreement soon to share the cost of the American military presence in the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

To strengthen defence ties, the United States and Japan look to sign two pacts soon. The two nations, who are looking to deepen defence cooperation, will ink a new five-year agreement soon to share the cost of the American military presence in the country, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Also Read: Chinese national in US steals agricultural tech, pleads guilty The leader was speaking at the outset of a virtual conference, which was held between the US and Japanese foreign and defence ministers on Thursday. The two nations will also sign a deal to collaborate closely in research and development of defence-related technologies, which may include ways to counter threats from hypersonic weapons, said Blinken. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who joined virtually from home as he is recovering from a COVID-19 infection, said the US-Japan alliance is highly important. Also Read: Trump's 'non-woke' social media app rivalling the 'biased' big-tech to launch soon "We're meeting against a backdrop of increased tensions and challenges to the free, stable and secure Indo-Pacific region that we both seek challenges posed by North Korea's nuclear ambitions and by the coercive and aggressive behaviour of the People's Republic of China," Austin said. "We remain grateful for the support that Japan continues to provide US forces deployed there and for an extraordinary level of mutual cooperation across the full spectrum of military capabilities," he added. (With inputs from agencies)

To strengthen ties, US, Japan look to ink crucial defence pacts soon

<p>The deadly coronavirus pandemic has not only affected the healthcare systems but has also put a major strain on the global economy. In a recent development, it was revealed that the US economy added only 199,000 jobs in December. Also, the unemployment rate fell to 3.9 per cent. This comes as a major setback for analysts as they had expected a massive gain n payrolls.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A Labor Department report further revealed that the number of unemployed people dropped by 483,000 in December and by 4.5 million in the entire 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Increases were seen in job gains for November and October. As per the data, the economy gained an average of 537,000 positions a month in 2021.</p>

<p>Michael Pearce, senior US economist with capital economics, in a report said, "The muted 199,000 gain in non-farm payrolls and the more muted increase in labor force participation suggest that worker shortages were becoming a bigger restraint on employment growth, even before the Omicron surge in infections, which could knock hundreds of thousands off payrolls in January."</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explainer-chinas-zero-covid-strategy-what-it-is-how-it-functions-and-does-it-work-442865"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Explainer: China's 'zero covid' strategy; what it is, how it functions and does it work?</strong></a></p>

<p>This comes at a time when consumer prices in the US surged by 6.8 per cent in November for the first time in decades. This was the highest annual inflation rate since June 1982.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Inflation has been a matter of concern since the pandemic has hit the globe.</p>

<p>The energy index saw a surge of 3.5 per cent in November as the gasoline index increased by 6.1 per cent. The food index saw an increase of 0.7 per cent as the index for food at home rose 0.8 per cent.</p>

<p>Acknowledging the current scenario, US President Joe Biden said, "Today's numbers reflect the pressures that economies around the world are facing as we emerge from a global pandemic, prices are rising."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Deeming inflation as "a real bump in the road," he said that "price and cost increase are slowing, although not as quickly as we'd like."&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


The deadly coronavirus pandemic has not only affected the healthcare systems but has also put a major strain on the global economy. In a recent development, it was revealed that the US economy added only 199,000 jobs in December.

The deadly coronavirus pandemic has not only affected the healthcare systems but has also put a major strain on the global economy. In a recent development, it was revealed that the US economy added only 199,000 jobs in December. Also, the unemployment rate fell to 3.9 per cent. This comes as a major setback for analysts as they had expected a massive gain n payrolls. A Labor Department report further revealed that the number of unemployed people dropped by 483,000 in December and by 4.5 million in the entire 2021. Increases were seen in job gains for November and October. As per the data, the economy gained an average of 537,000 positions a month in 2021. Michael Pearce, senior US economist with capital economics, in a report said, "The muted 199,000 gain in non-farm payrolls and the more muted increase in labor force participation suggest that worker shortages were becoming a bigger restraint on employment growth, even before the Omicron surge in infections, which could knock hundreds of thousands off payrolls in January." Also read | Explainer: China's 'zero covid' strategy; what it is, how it functions and does it work? This comes at a time when consumer prices in the US surged by 6.8 per cent in November for the first time in decades. This was the highest annual inflation rate since June 1982. Inflation has been a matter of concern since the pandemic has hit the globe. The energy index saw a surge of 3.5 per cent in November as the gasoline index increased by 6.1 per cent. The food index saw an increase of 0.7 per cent as the index for food at home rose 0.8 per cent. Acknowledging the current scenario, US President Joe Biden said, "Today's numbers reflect the pressures that economies around the world are facing as we emerge from a global pandemic, prices are rising." Deeming inflation as "a real bump in the road," he said that "price and cost increase are slowing, although not as quickly as we'd like." (With inputs from agencies)

In a major setback to analysts, US added only 199,000 jobs in December

On the eve of the capital insurrection anniversary, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recollected the trauma of that day.

US: The House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recollect the trauma of the Capitol insurrection

In defense cooperation, the United States and Japan have agreed to collaborate on several new ventures, this includes developing hypersonic and space-based weaponry and a new deal on sharing the cost of US troops in Japan.

US, Japan renew deal to share costs of US troops, vow defence cooperation to counter Chinese threat

In a bit to deepen defence cooperation, the United States and Japan have agreed to collaborate on several new ventures. This includes developing hypersonic and space-based weaponry and a new deal on sharing the cost of US troops in Japan.

US, Japan collaborate on new ventures, including developing hypersonic & space-based weaponry

US & Japan strengthen defence ties by signing 2 new defence deals

US stocks fell sharply yesterday with NASDAQ plunging more than three percent in its biggest one-day percentage drop since February.

NASDAQ posts biggest one-day drop since February last year

<p>A shocking video that has surfaced on the internet shows a man in Florida trying to strangle a woman using his shoelace. Identified as Aaron K. Quinones, the man has now been charged with attempted felony murder. In the video, the man can be seen punching the woman multiple times as she struggles to somehow save her life.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident took place at a Miami-Dade transit bus stop around 11 am on January 2. It was captured by a surveillance camera. As per the police, the 27-years-old fled the scene after a man entered and tried to save the woman.&nbsp;</p>

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<p>At the beginning of the video, Aaron can be seen standing behind the woman, pretending to tie his shoe. Suddenly, he takes off the lace as he casually sneaks up behind the victim.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He then tried to pull the lace around her neck, attempting to strangle her. Just when Aaron starts to get aggressive with the victim, a man comes in and interferes, trying to protect the woman.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"A good samaritan stepped in to stop the attack, and the subject fled on foot. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and treated the victim on scene. &nbsp;Officers patrolling the area located the subject matching the description provided by the dispatcher. The subject was arrested and charged accordingly. Officers want to speak to the good samaritan, who was not on the scene when they arrived," read a statement by the police.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The investigation is still ongoing.</p>


A shocking video that has surfaced on the internet shows a man in Florida trying to strangle a woman using his shoelace. Identified as Aaron K. Quinones, the man has now been charged with attempted felony murder.

A shocking video that has surfaced on the internet shows a man in Florida trying to strangle a woman using his shoelace. Identified as Aaron K. Quinones, the man has now been charged with attempted felony murder. In the video, the man can be seen punching the woman multiple times as she struggles to somehow save her life. The incident took place at a Miami-Dade transit bus stop around 11 am on January 2. It was captured by a surveillance camera. As per the police, the 27-years-old fled the scene after a man entered and tried to save the woman. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ONLY in DADE (@onlyindade) × At the beginning of the video, Aaron can be seen standing behind the woman, pretending to tie his shoe. Suddenly, he takes off the lace as he casually sneaks up behind the victim. He then tried to pull the lace around her neck, attempting to strangle her. Just when Aaron starts to get aggressive with the victim, a man comes in and interferes, trying to protect the woman. "A good samaritan stepped in to stop the attack, and the subject fled on foot. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded and treated the victim on scene. Officers patrolling the area located the subject matching the description provided by the dispatcher. The subject was arrested and charged accordingly. Officers want to speak to the good samaritan, who was not on the scene when they arrived," read a statement by the police. The investigation is still ongoing.

Watch: Man tries to strangle woman using his shoelace at US bus stop

<p>Over 1,700 US flights were cancelled on Wednesday (January 5), amid a surge in Omicron cases. The total number of flight cancellations since Christmas Eve has now reached approximately 20,000.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Christmas holidays are typically a peak time for air travel, but the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant has led to a sharp increase in Covid infections. This has forced several airlines to cancel flights.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to FlightAware, a total of 1,760 flights within, into or out of the US were cancelled. There were also delays in several airlines for US flights. Also, Southwest cancelled 531 flights on Wednesday and United cancelled 169 flights.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-update-cdc-suggests-pfizer-booster-shot-for-kids-aged-12-and-above-442658"><strong>Also read |&nbsp;Omicron update: CDC suggests Pfizer booster shot for kids aged 12 and above</strong></a></p>

<p>This happened on the same day when the US set global record, reporting more than 1 million cases. Due to weekend tally delays, Monday's figures are usually higher than those of the weekend and may have been inflated by a three-day New Year's holiday weekend.</p>

<p>As of Monday evening, Johns Hopkins University reported that the rolling average over seven days, which experts deem more reliable, was 486,000 cases per day.</p>

<p>The Omicron variant accounted for around 59 per cent of cases in the US near the end of last year.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Over 1,700 US flights were cancelled on Wednesday (January 5), amid a surge in Omicron cases. The total number of flight cancellations since Christmas Eve has now reached approximately 20,000.

Over 1,700 US flights were cancelled on Wednesday (January 5), amid a surge in Omicron cases. The total number of flight cancellations since Christmas Eve has now reached approximately 20,000. The Christmas holidays are typically a peak time for air travel, but the rapid spread of the highly transmissible Omicron variant has led to a sharp increase in Covid infections. This has forced several airlines to cancel flights. According to FlightAware, a total of 1,760 flights within, into or out of the US were cancelled. There were also delays in several airlines for US flights. Also, Southwest cancelled 531 flights on Wednesday and United cancelled 169 flights. Also read | Omicron update: CDC suggests Pfizer booster shot for kids aged 12 and above This happened on the same day when the US set global record, reporting more than 1 million cases. Due to weekend tally delays, Monday's figures are usually higher than those of the weekend and may have been inflated by a three-day New Year's holiday weekend. As of Monday evening, Johns Hopkins University reported that the rolling average over seven days, which experts deem more reliable, was 486,000 cases per day. The Omicron variant accounted for around 59 per cent of cases in the US near the end of last year. (With inputs from agencies)

As cases in US surge, 1,700 flights canceled taking the count to 20,000 since Christmas eve

How will January 6 come to be remembered in the years ahead- will it be remembered as a moment that accelerated the unraveling of the oldest greatest democracy in the world or a moment when we decided to secure and strengthen our democracy for generations to come?

Capitol Riots Anniversary: 'How will January 6 be remembered?' Asks Kamala Harris

Winter has arrived in Washington DC with full throttle packing heavy snow and strong winds as the thick winter snowstorm engulfed parts of the southeast and the mid-Atlantic region. Residents of Washington were forced to hit pause as were the president and other top government officials.

US President Joe Biden left stranded on Air Force One as Washington grapples with biggest snowstorm

US President Joe Biden will call out former President Donald Trump for 'singular responsibility' in provoking the rioters on the 6th of January last year in Capitol riots.

President Biden will call out former President Trump for 'singular responsibility' in Capitol Riots

Western leaders are stepping up warnings to Moscow ahead of security talks with Russia. Top US diplomat Antony Blinken has said that the upcoming talks will not succeed so long as there is a gun to Ukraine's head.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns Russia ahead of talks over Ukraine

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